Academic Mentoring Program
The Academic Mentoring Program (AMP), funded by the Jones Zimmermann Foundation, is designed to encourage middle school students to maintain academic success with the support and assistance of college students. Students are accepted into AMP as 6th graders and remain in the program until they graduate from the 8th grade. The intent is that students reach higher levels of achievement so they can eventually complete high school with a strong academic foundation. College students working as mentors provide young students with an exposure to the possibilities within learning and higher levels of education.
The Academic Mentoring Program at Sacred Heart University first began during the academic year of 2001-2002. During that year, 6th grade students at John Winthrop School began building an academic and social relationship with Sacred Heart University sophomores.
Our Sacred Heart University student mentors provide their middle school mentees with an exposure to the possibilities within learning and higher levels of education.
AMP runs Monday through Thursday at John Winthrop Elementary School from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Students spend the first hour working on any homework, projects or studying for tests, the second hour is used for enrichment activities such as; painting, sports, contests, and guest speakers from the university. Our enrichment activities help give students a chance to bond with their mentors and other students in the program. AMP is completely free for the students in the program and provides students the opportunity to attend field trips twice a semester.
Some past trips have included; Jones Family Farm, SkyZone, Sacred Heart University Basketball games & our annual 8th grade trip. AMP is a one of a kind opportunity for SHU students to give back to the Bridgeport community with a very rewarding feeling of watching their mentees grow over the 3 years spent together.
For questions, contact gilchristt19@mail.sacredheart.edu.
What are the requirements to be a mentor?
Mentors are expected to make a minimum of a full year commitment, but are strongly encouraged to mentor for two years in order to strength the mentee/mentor relationship. As a mentor, one is expected to spend approximately 4 hours (2 hours x 2 days) per week working with 2 students after school from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Furthermore, mentors should be in good academic standing (3.0 GPA) and have experience with working with children.
The job description of a mentor includes and is not limited to the following: providing tutorial assistance to his/her students, monitoring the academic progress of the students, attending training sessions on tutorial and mentoring skills, and participating in social/education activities.
How are the AMP mentees chosen?
John Winthrop School was chosen as the site that Sacred Heart University will partner with to participate in the Academic Mentoring Program. Therefore, all of the mentees are chosen from that school.
How much do mentors get paid?
Mentors will be paid $14 per hour for attending the AMP sessions with their students, attending training session and participating in AMP activities that may be planned throughout the year.
What is a typical day at AMP?
Each AMP day is 2 hours long. The day is typically broken down in the following activities: snack time (10 minutes), recreation (20 minutes), homework help (1 hour), customized learning activity (30 minutes). The learning activity exercises are designed by the mentors and they are designed to reemphasize material that students are currently learning in the classroom. Typically, all AMP mentees that attended AMP on that particular day participate in the learning activity, unless an individual needs more time on his/her homework assignments.
What is the Jones-Zimmermann Model?
The Jones-Zimmermann model is based on the premise that college students are excellent role models for middle school students: close enough in age to establish a rapport and yet mature and focused in ways the younger students still struggle to achieve. The purpose of the Jones-Zimmermann Academic Mentoring model is to develop, implement, and evaluate a school-based academic mentor model, in partnership with local colleges and universities, which could serve as a model for urban school systems across the nation.
Overall Objectives of the Jones-Zimmermann Academic Mentoring Project:
- Encourage middle school students to aspire to higher education levels and to graduate from high school
- Reduce high school “dropout” rates
- Remediate competency in two foundational skill areas: language skills and mathematics quantitative skills
- Build self-confidence and positive social values in tutored students
- Develop an appreciation among college students for the teaching profession